Bleach-chamber.



C. W. MAR-SH.

BLEACH CHAMBER. APPLICATION FILED JUN 16, 1909.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

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0. W. MARSH.

BLEACH CHAMBER.

APlLIOATION FILED JUNE16, 1909.

Patented 0ct.31, 1911.

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Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

Izweraor:

C W. MARSH.

BLEACH CHAMBER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNEIB, 1909.

c. w.' MARSH. BLEACH GHAMBER.

ABILIOATHiIII FILED Jim 16, 1909. P e Och 31 1911.

LHQW ewumgMj'rlw/L, *6 AT 4, Emu-4 ffiw J ye"- UNITED sTATEs PATENT 'GFFI'OE.

7 CLARENCE w. MARSH, or NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, assrenon, BY mnsnn ASSIGN- MENTS, T HOOKER ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, Y., 'A CORPO- narrow on NEW YORK.

BLEACH-CHAMBER.

Specification of Letters Tiatent. Patented O t 31 1911 Application filed June 16, 1909.

Serial No. 502,544.

i Niagara Falls, in the county of Niagara and State of New Y ork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bleach-Chambers, of which the following is a specification;

. material, suitably reinforced; is provided.

, berl The object of this invention is the provision of an economical and highly efiicient means for the manufacture-of bleaching powder or chlorid of lime. As is well known, this compound is prepared by subjecting properly slaked lime to the action of chlorin gas, the lime being usually exposed in a bed or layer on the floor of the socalled bleachchamber, and subjected to the action of chlorin gas at progressively increasing concentration until the desired grade of product is attained. The bleach chambers are commonly constructed of lead, which resists the action of chlorin while freely conducting from the interior of the chamber the heat developed by the reaction. For the production of bleaching powder of satisfactory grade the temperature of the reacting mass must, asis well known be maintained within comparatively narrow limits; and inasmuch as the reaction is strongly exothermic, it is necessary that thereshould be a flow or transfer of heat from the interior to the exterior of the cham- Under proper exterior temperature conditions the normal radiation from the metal walls may sufiice to maintain proper interior temperatures, and external heating or cooling are resorted to as required. In

contradistinction. to these metal-walled chambers, the bleach chamber which forms the subject of the present invention is constructed of concrete, cement or equlvalent with an internal gas-tight sheathing, and is adapted by its construction and design to maintain the temperature of the reacting mass within the desired limits under any and all external temperature conditions. The invention also relates to the prov1- sion in bleach chambers of. any preferred construction, of means for conveying the lime into and through the chamber and dis-- charging the product therefrom-the lime being preferably exposed in a; pluralityofmeans being provided for transferringit between these beds.

lhe invention also comprises means for properly regulating the temperature within the chamber by circulating the gas through the chamber, and through a suitable temperature regulator in which heat may be supplied or abstracted as required.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating apparatus in accordance therewith. v

In said drawings :Figure 1 is a longitusuperposed beds to the action of the gas,

dinal sectional view of superposed chambers provided with gas coolers and: with superposed supports for. the lime, means being provided for conveying the lime continuously or intermittently through the chambers; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 isla transverse sectional view of superposed chambers, parts being broken away; Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a preferred construction of walland floor; Fig. 5'is a sectionaldetail view of construction designed properly to distribute the gas throughout the chambers. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig.5; and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a series of bleach chambers, illustrating the flow of gases eduction flues 7 8, 9, 10, for the gas. The

walls 11 of the chambers are asthin as is consistent'with structural requirements, and are reinforced by metallic members 12 (Figs. 3, 4,) whichmay be of any approved type, the floors being similarly reinforced. Such floors and walls are found capable of conducting and radiatin heat rapidly: their outer surfaces are hig ly porous and rough.

as compared with lead walls, and present therefore a relatively: extended radiating Y surface, which in connection with the highheat-conductivity of the walls themselves and of the metal included therein, is found side oi the chamber.

to suitice under mean temperature conditions to permit a sufficiently rapid flow of heat to maintain the temperature within the chamber within the necessary limits. in case of extreme cold provision may be made to check loss of heat, as by warming the inclosingbuilding or by heating the gas hereinafter described; and when required, heat is abstracted from the circulating body of gas. The flow of heat through the walls and floors may be accelerated by the provision of cooling fines or pipes therein. The concrete walls of the chamber, includ ing the floor and roof, are provided with an internal, continuous, closely-adherent, gastight sheathing or membrane indicated at 32 in Figs. 3 and 4:, this sheathing covering the entire interior of the chamber, except the usual gas-tight working doors. This sheathing should be ofa material which is impervious to the gas and inert toward it, and which is adapted to close the pores of the cement and to adhere firmly thereto under the conditions of use. Paints or varnishes containing asphaltum or a suitable hydrocarbon have been found well adapted for the purpose, and possess the advantages that they are very readily and cheaply renewed or repaired, and that by reason of their close adherence to or interlocking with the cement surface, the eii'ect of any penetration of chlorininto the concrete is strictly localized, and readilydetected and repaired. The close adherence of the sheathing is further advantageous in that it avoids the heat-insulating eiiect of air or gas spaces between the wall proper and the sheathing. r

Above the portion of the gas-tight sheath-- ing covering the bottom of the chamber is arranged a protective floor, which will re ceive the lime in case the conveyer system hereinafter described is not used. As shown particularly in Fig. 4:, this floor may co1nprise lapped strips of tarred or similar impregnated paper 33, preferably laid in asphaltum, and overlaid by concrete slabs 34; having asphalt joints 35.

It is found desirable to provide means, usually exterior to the chambers, for regulating the temperature therein, and this is most conveniently accomplished by providing for the circulation of the chlorin through the chambers and through a temperature regulating device preferably. arranged out- Means of this character are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein '7 and 8 represent respectively induction and eduction fines leading to the lower chamber 2, and 9, lO'similar Hues communicating with the upper chamber 1. The suction fan 13 receives the gas from the flue 8 through conduit 14 and delivers it through conduit 15 and temperature regulating device 16 to the induction flue 7 leading to the lower chamher. A fan 17 receives the gas from the upnonreacper chamber through flue 9 and conduit 18 and returns it through the temperature regulator 19, conduit 20 and fiue 10 to this chamber. The temperature regulators 16, 19 are usually employed for cooling the gas, and may comprise as shown a series of paral lel pipes mounted in suitable manifolds and cooledby air or by a spray or stream of water or other refrigerant, delivered for example through perforated troughs or conduits 21. The portion of the circulating system exterior to the chambers may be constructed of earthenware or lead as desired.

It is desirable although not essential to deliver the circulating gas to the chambers over substantially the entire width of the chamber, and this is most conveniently ef- :tected by an arrangement indicated in Fig. 1 and shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6, wherein the gas is delivered between the upper portion of the end wall of the chamber and a depending apron 22, the'end wall and the apron being recessed as shown at- 23 to receive plates 24 of any material inert to the gas: these plates are spaced apart to permit the gas entering above them to flow downward into the chamber, and are adjustable in the recesses 23 to permit the distribution of the gas to be, varied at will. A. precisely similar arrangement may be provided in connection with the eduction lines 8, 10 as indicated in Fig. 1.

It will be understood that a series of chambers is provided, the chlorin passing through these successively-until completely absorbed, and the point. of supply of chlorin being shifted as the bleaching powder attains the full strength, as is familiar to those skilled in the art. The means for introducing the gas into the chambers, and for conveying the partially exhausted gas between the chambers, being well understood, need not be herein described in detail: I have however indicated on Fig. 2, at 36, the gas-inlet to the respective chambers as communicating with the fines 8 and 9, the outlet for the chlorin or residual gases being indicated at 37. By this arrangement there is a regulated movement of gas into, each chamber and through it to the next in series until absorption is complete; and superposed upon such movement is a definite and repeated circulation of the gas through each chamber, whether receiving the strong gas or the so-called exit gas which has been subjected to absorption by lime in a previous chamber. The heat development varies at different stages of the reaction, and with t the degreeoi temperature change necessary to secure the best results; but as in practice,

each chamber in succession receives the strong gas, it is preferred to provide proper circulating means in connection Qwith each chamber, the circulation being .used as the state of the reaction may require. This .mode of circulation is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 7, wherein A, A, etc., indicate a horizontal series of chambers'having interconnecting gas passages B. O-represents the gas inlet to the series, and D'the escape for the final exit gas. In connection with two of the chambers are shown coolers E and fans F, with appropriate flue connection to the chambers, in such manner that the gas may circulate repeatedly through the chamber and cooler. As indicated in this figure the circulation of the gas through the chamber may be either in the same direction as the movement of the gasthrough the series of chambers, or in the opposite direction to such movement-'The circulation of the gas does not interfe'rewith the main flow in any part of the system, provided the valvesand pipe lines are tight so that no additional air is introduced.- It is customary in extremelyhot weather to cool three adj acent chambers independently, the gas from each being circulated through a separate cooler, the chambers tobe cooled being usually those.receiving the main gas and the first and second exit gases, since in these the reaction is most active. Since the main gas is applied in turn to each chamber, it is preferred' to provide cooling connectionsfor each, and'by proper pipe and valve connections between the chambers and between the chambers and the coolers, a given nuniberof coolers may suflice for treating the gas from a much larger number of chambers, as will.

be readily understood by those familiar with the art. w i

The chambers may be used in the manner commonlypracticed in the art, the lime being distributed over they floors, the gas absorbed therein, and the product removed. A considerable increase in the capacity of the. chambers, together with a decided economy of operation, is efiecte'd however by the provision of means forconveying the lime into and through the chambers and discharging, it therefrom when the absorption is complete. Such means may operate continuously or intermittently, and are illustrated in one form in Fig. 1, wherein 25, 25 represent a series of flight conveyors of any suitable construction, arranged to receive lime through delivery tubes 2'6 from a hopper 27, intonvhich it may be delivered by a screw conveyer 28. As shown, the upper chamber 1 contains superposed flight conveyers 25 .on'each side of the central hopper 27 these conveyors being capable of movej ment as indicated by the arrows and.con-

veying the lime through thegas at successively lower levels, and finally delivering the bleaching powder through chute 29 to the drums 30. The arrangement shown in the lower chamber2 is oflike character, the lime'be'ingreceived at or near the center of the chamber, and the bleach being delivered suchsystemthe distribution of the through chutes 31. Obviously the mechaniv cal means for conveying the lime through the chamber may be varied at will.

I While the passage of the'lime may under proper conditions be made continuous, it is usually preferable to operate the flights only ,lmtil the lime is distributed over'their sur-v posed in several superposed planes and transferred from higher to lower planes, while advantageously applied to any bleachcooling system as above described; or in' each chamber is comparatively uniform, and the product is therfore regular in composition and character. Further, the cooling of gas . By operating 1 may receive gas; 1

ing chamber, is particularly advantageous in connection with the gas-circulatin and thegas, permits the temperature control of the reaction in beds of lime arranged out of.

contact with the walls or floor of the chamber. v

-l. A bleach-chamber ,havinginclosing walls of reinforced concrete, and an internal, closely-adherent, gas-tight sheathing therefor composed of a material resistant to chlorin.

2. A bleach-chamber having inclosing walls. of reinforced concrete, an internal,

closely-adherent, gas-tight sheathing there- ;for composed of a material resistant to chlorin, anda protective floor in said chamber overlying said gas-tight sheathingl' '3. A bleach-chamber construction com- I prising superposed chambers having in-' closing walls and a dividing floor of reinforced concrete, and an internalgas-tigh't sheathing for each ofsaid chambers.

4. A bleach-chamber construction com} prisingsuperposed chambers having inclos ing walls and a dividing floor of reinforced concrete, an internal gas-tightsheathingfor each of said chambers, and means for with-'; drawing from each of said chambers the ex'- cess of heat developed by the reaction therein. g Y 5. A, bleach-chamber constructioncom-- prising superposed chambers having inclosing walls and a dividing floor of reinforced concrete, aninternal gas-tight sheathing for each of. said chambers, and a protective floor in each chamber overlying said gas-tight sheathin I i 6. A gleach-cha'mber construction comprising superposed chamber-shaving inc1osing walls and a dividing floor of reinforced concrete, an internal gas-tight sheathing for each of said chambers, and means for circulating the gas through each of said chambers and through a temperature-regulating device.

7. A bleach-chamber having inclosing walls of reinforced concrete, a temperatureregulating device, and means for establishing a circulation of the gas th1ough said chamber and temperaturc-regulating device.

8. A bleach-chamber having inclosing walls of reinforced concrete, superposed, spaced supports f r lime within said chamber, a temperat'ure-regulating device, and means for establishing a circulation of the gas through said chamber and temperatureregulating device.

9. A bleachchamber having inclosing walls of reinforced concrete, an internal gastight sheathing therefor, a plurality of superposed, spaced supports for lime within said chamber, means'for transterring'the lime between said supports, a temperature regulating device for the gas, and means for circulating the gas through said chamber and temperature-regulating device.

10: A bleach-chainber construction comprising a series of chambers, gas passages connecting said chambers, means for supplying chlorin to said series, and means connected with individual chambers of the series for establishing a circulation of gas in said individual chambers.

11. A bleach-chamber construction comprising a series of chambers, gas passages connecting said chambers, means for supplying chlorin to said series, and means connected with individual chambers of the series for establishing a circulation of gas through said individual chambers and through a temperature-regulating device.

12. A bleach-chamber having inclos'ing walls of reinforced concrete, an internal gastight sheathing therefor, and means for controlling the temperature within said chamber.

13. A bleach-chamber having inclosing walls of reinforced concrete, an internal gastight sheathing therefor, a protective fioor in said chamber overlying said gastight sheathing, and means for controlling the temperature within said chamber.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE w. MARSH.

Witnesses:

ISABEL HELEN SIMONS, NETTIE M. BOYLE. 

